How Do You Help During the Holidays?

I was thinking about how the holidays are such a special time for so many people but also very difficult for others. So many folks need help especially at this time of year for so many reasons. We have such great contributors here I was curious how you were able to lend a hand during this time of year. My wife and I donate our time. I always help cook and prep holiday meal for a local organization that serves the homeless and less fortunate. My wife volunteers at the no kill animal shelter to help make sure are furry friends aren't left out in the cold. We both work with a program that helps bring holiday parties to terminally ill children who are not able to leave the hospital. I have even been know to where the big red suit. I really am looking forward to hearing your stories as well and being inspired to do more.

I help throughout the whole year. I belong to a local community service organization where I give one weekend a month to different causes/charities. From recording books for the blind to play games at the local nursing homes we do just about everything. At the Holidays I try and gather as many friends and relatives and we go serve Christams Eve dinner at the local soup kitchen. And my husband and I adopt an unfortunate child to purchase gifts for every year. Just little things that make us feel better and try to help those less fortunate.

I didn't get to do much this year, but i guess you might be able to count the puppy I rescued.

Now I gotta get a damn leash... anyone know a good brand... Little guy is gonna cost me a fortune, licenes, food, ect...

I just rescued a puppy too...okay well, she is a year and a half!! Got her for my husband for an early xmas gift. And yes, she has already cost us a small fortune but she is well worth it! What breed did you get? I just purchased this great leash on clearance at PetSmart-Four Paws Nite Brite Reflective Dog Lead here is a site to get the info on it. link

We really want to have a kid but we're not ready yet, so we always buy something for the toys for tots. We try to find really odd requests if we can. Last year we found a 4-yr old boy who wanted a broom.
I wish we could give more but we're extraordinarily broke.

My family and I do "toys for tots" every year around Christmas. During the year though, we donate any clothing or shoes that we have and haven't been wearing. There isn't any point in keeping unworn clothes in your closet and drawers, especially if it could benefit someone who really needs them

We do stuff year-round too. We donate all of our 'out-grown' clothes, shoes, toys, furniture etc to the local non-profit thrift store. We are the animal house on the block, so often little critters find their way to us when they need a home or help. Gary and I are like the 'go to' people in our group of friends when someone needs help.

I have done a lot of community work over the years, from coaching youth soccer for 8 seasons, to doing 'tree tenders', to running our block parties and block improvements committee, to yearly volunteering at my kids' school.

This year I am an ESL tutor for 1.5 hours a week at my childrens' school. Every Tuesday, I work with 5th graders on their school work, projects and language skills.

I think charity really does begin in the home, so I encourage my kids to help each other and I try to set an example by doing things locally and in their school.

I just rescued a puppy too...okay well, she is a year and a half!! Got her for my husband for an early xmas gift. And yes, she has already cost us a small fortune but she is well worth it! What breed did you get? I just purchased this great leash on
...

I just rescued a puppy too...okay well, she is a year and a half!! Got her for my husband for an early xmas gift. And yes, she has already cost us a small fortune but she is well worth it! What breed did you get? I just purchased this great leash on clearance at PetSmart-Four Paws Nite Brite Reflective Dog Lead here is a site to get the info on it. link

I'll have to check petsmart

He is a Autralian Shepard with a little of something else, he is a mix. I went to tractor Supply and there is one for like $10, but my account is drained, so he gets food now lesh later

We also give our old and outdated clothes to charity, throughout the year, forgot to mention that

We do stuff year-round too. We donate all of our 'out-grown' clothes, shoes, toys, furniture etc to the local non-profit thrift store. We are the animal house on the block, so often little critters find their way to us when they need a home
...

We do stuff year-round too. We donate all of our 'out-grown' clothes, shoes, toys, furniture etc to the local non-profit thrift store. We are the animal house on the block, so often little critters find their way to us when they need a home or help. Gary and I are like the 'go to' people in our group of friends when someone needs help.

I have done a lot of community work over the years, from coaching youth soccer for 8 seasons, to doing 'tree tenders', to running our block parties and block improvements committee, to yearly volunteering at my kids' school.

This year I am an ESL tutor for 1.5 hours a week at my childrens' school. Every Tuesday, I work with 5th graders on their school work, projects and language skills.

I think charity really does begin in the home, so I encourage my kids to help each other and I try to set an example by doing things locally and in their school.

Victoria- I enjoyed reading your post since a lot of what you wrote my family and I can relate to (minus the animals, as we're allergic!). I wholeheartedly agree that charity begins in the home.

I forgot to mention that my family and I take in quite a few strays as well. Our first cat we got from a shelter and Our second cat was a stray we took in from outside, and recently I adopted another kitten from a shelter and made a donation towards upkeep of the facility, food, and health care items for the other strays. I love animals so much, and my boyfriends the same way. Neither of us can say no to a stray animal. Needless to say we will have a house FULL of pets one day

We do stuff year-round too. We donate all of our 'out-grown' clothes, shoes, toys, furniture etc to the local non-profit thrift store. We are the animal house on the block, so often little critters find their way to us when they need a home
...

We do stuff year-round too. We donate all of our 'out-grown' clothes, shoes, toys, furniture etc to the local non-profit thrift store. We are the animal house on the block, so often little critters find their way to us when they need a home or help. Gary and I are like the 'go to' people in our group of friends when someone needs help.

I have done a lot of community work over the years, from coaching youth soccer for 8 seasons, to doing 'tree tenders', to running our block parties and block improvements committee, to yearly volunteering at my kids' school.

This year I am an ESL tutor for 1.5 hours a week at my childrens' school. Every Tuesday, I work with 5th graders on their school work, projects and language skills.

I think charity really does begin in the home, so I encourage my kids to help each other and I try to set an example by doing things locally and in their school.

Victoria,

You’re an inspiration. My family instilled the same values in us growing up, in different ways but still the same values. Giving back to your community is a benefit to you and your neighbor. Look at how many people and animals in your case you have touched and improved their lives. There is no greater gift. Given the age of our children and our circumstances, we try not to do much over the holidays but for donations and do more year round.